People have rallied to the hunt for Allen's attackers with a flood of tips. Individuals and business have made hundreds of donations both to a reward fund and to another fund for Allen's family.
Hsieh said Friday the fund for the family stood at over $25,000, some in large amounts but much coming in donations of $5 and $10. Bands rocked Chilkoot Charlie's for five hours in a fundraiser on Sunday.
And some has come out of the blue. Hsieh said one patrol officer told him that a woman who had just bought coffee handed the officer her change and asked him to put it in the Allen family's fund.
"We're on your side, that's really what we're hearing," Hsieh said.
The attack on Officer Allen showed how lonely, dangerous and violent police work can be. The response of Anchorage has taken some of the lonely out of that work; what citizens are saying is "We've got your back."
That's heartening for all of us.
BOTTOM LINE: Shooting was a shock; city's response just what we need.
Important warning about e-mails purporting to be from the adn.com staff.